Mystery Snail Erosion

FishFan

When you add Calcium Citrate, in what form do you add it? I found several types of calcium at the local store in the vitamin/mineral isle but also found that some contain copper (lethal to our inverts). Would a regular calcium supplement for a human be alright to use (they also have a few trace elements and compounds in them i.e.. vitamin D, magnesium, sugars, etc.)? I also found one containing oyster shells (which I think would be just up our alley here). I'm thinking as long as it's NOT copper or sulfur, it should be OK.

If it is OK to use these, do you just drop 'em in, or do you dilute them in water 1st?

Thanks in advance. Need to help out the little guys.

fish_4_all

I use the pure powdered calcium citrate from my health store. Any calcium suppliment should work I guess but like you said it needs to be free of harmful additives. I can't say for other suppliments for sure though because all i have ever used is Calcium Citrate, calcium sulfate and added crushed coral.

Trishfish

I just wanted to share a pic of a snail that was in pretty bad shape when I got her. She had a very large fissure that was fairly wide. This picture shows how well she has healed in favorable water conditions. I didn't think to take pictures when I received her but thought a healing in process pic would go well here.

jeaninel

Hi,
Can someone please tell me what is happening to my snail's shell? I've only had him a couple weeks. Below are some pics that could maybe explain better than I can. It's almost like the shell is peeling back.
Ph 7.5
GH 4
KH 4
Temp. 78F







And here is what he looked like when i first got him.

Cody

My black snail is doing that as well. I think it is just shedding its shell, because mine acts as normal as he usually does.

fish_4_all

Not normal and not good. Looks like a seriously thin shell. pH looks good but GH and KH could be higher. The good news is it is not erosion and should be a simple diet/suppliment fix. I hope that our resident Guru will drop in and give more information and either confirm what I say or give some more helpful advice.

What do you feed them? Food rich in calcium would do a world of good for them. Kale and Romaine blanched lightly in boiling water. Green beans, lima beans, and I think zucchinin would also be good choices. Calcium suppliments of some kind. Algae wafers are ok but won't provide enough to help the shell heal properly. Be very careful with them as the shell is extremely thin and even the slightest pressure could put a finger right through the shell or crack it badly. I almost did this to one of mine that I "rescued" from the LFS.

Easiest calcium suppliment is simple daily calcium pills. I used Calcium carbonate with vitamin D at 600 mg every other day for mine. As well as fed them lots of green beans and romaine. If you can find them, snail biscuits wold be a great choice or get a piece of Cuddle bone from the LFS. Cuddle Bone is actually a piece of the Cuddle fish and loaded with Calcium. A small piece cut off and weighted down if needed so the snail can get to it. I would expect the snail to go right for either the cuddle bone or the calcium pill if it needs it.

jeaninel

Thanks for the info Fish_4_all! I will look for cuddle bone and calcium pills. Do I just drop the calcium pill in and the snail will eat it?

SST

I have a sea shell in the bottom of my tank. I put a half a calcium pill (same one I take, I get it from a naturopath) in it and replace when it's gone. That's also where I put the 1/2 algae wafer and whatever veggie I'm feeding at the time. As the calcium and algae wafer disintegrate, the shell keeps them from getting lost among the gravel bits. You could use a small plate or just drop the thing directly into the tank. I'm not so sure that it matters. It's most important to get it to 'em right now.

Lots of snail owners also use the multi day feeding blocks to provide calcium (more expensive) or they make their own out of plaster of paris (less expensive but more time consuming & messy).

Lots of options out there.

Born4spd

could TUMS work?

kind of an odd question i know.

scottven

I'd worry about the flavoring, but I'm curious what others have to say.

What about plane white chalk?